The 3 Best Hedge Trimmers of 2017

When I think of beautifully trimmed hedges, I think of elaborate mansions and their respective yard. Swans and horses are carved out of hedges for an elegant and over the top look. Let’s be realistic here. That’s probably not your yard, and that’s ok! You still want it looking neat and beautiful. So, we have narrowed down the best hedge trimmers of the year just for you.

If you have some hedges separating your yard from the neighbor’s or even just some pretty hedges for landscaping purposes, this article is still for you. If you want a swan hedge, you are going to have to Google that.

What is a hedge trimmer?

A hedge trimmer is a tool that cuts and trims hedges, bushes, shrubs, etc. It looks really close to a chain saw. Typically it’s space between the “teeth” of the saw portion are more widely spaced than a chainsaw would be.

If you are a do it yourselfer or just don’t want to pay the lawn service to trim your hedges, this is a great investment to make. A hedge trimmer will have your landscaping look spectacular in a matter of minutes. It’s a great way to really clean up your yard.

Best Hedge Trimmers

The best hedge trimmers are:

1. Worx 56V Cordless Lithium-Ion 24 in. Hedge Trimmer WG291

PROS

Lithium Battery Powered

Dual-Action Cutting Blades

Full Wrap Front Handle

Blade Tip Protector

Transparent Hand Guard

Soft Grip Handle

CONS

Heavy

Loud

Not Always a Clean Cut (see below for more on this!)

¾” Cut Max

What you need to know

The Worx 56V Cordless Lithium-Ion 24 in. Hedge Trimmer is a gorgeous piece of machinery. It has all of the positive attributes you want in a hedge trimmer. It is number one on our list for a reason.

The Good Stuff

I’m not sure if you are following power tools at all, but lithium batteries are absolutely taking over. The Worx doesn’t disappoint here. Being able to have a long battery charge and switch out your batteries when they do die is huge. It is an awesome step forward in hedge trimming. Good-bye cord! You won’t be missed.

The dual action cutting blades are monumental. They allow for a nice clean cut while avoiding major shaking. If you have used a power hedge trimmer before with one large blade, you know what I mean here. It can feel like you are fighting a losing fight to control the thing. With the dual action blades, you are going to have a smoother movement and easier time handling the hedge trimmer.

A full wrap front handle is something that a lot of people like. It is not quite as safe as having two handles but it is most certainly easier to maneuver hard to reach places. When you have a full wrap handle, you can lift the hedge trimmers and get into tighter spaces just because you can move your hand positioning more. Just be careful!

Speaking of being careful, the Worx does have a nice safety feature with the blade tip protector. It makes sure you aren’t cutting things you don’t want to cut. Whether that is your azaleas or your hand, it’s always a good thing to have protection against the blade.

Another excellent safety feature on the Worx is the transparent hand guard. This I really like for a couple reasons. For one, it’s another safety precaution. In my book, you can’t have too many. Safety on devices like this can be irritating and get in the way which brings me to my second point. Making the hand guard transparent allows you to be able to look through it. Duh! Well, that just increased your viewing field while maintaining a safe work environment. If that’s not putting a cherry on top, I don’t know what is.

Finally, comfort is an intrical part of hedge trimming. If you are uncomfortable, you are probably going to take more breaks and get more sore. Instead of waking up the next day feeling like you rowed a canoe for 30 miles upstream, you can just have your coffee and read the newspaper. The soft grip handle helps with withstanding the vibrations and eases your grip so you don’t have to cling for dear life. Being relaxed and comfortable while using heavy machinery is a must. If you get too uptight you can have an accident.

The Bad Stuff

There are always two sides to the coin. On the Worx, there are very few negatives but it’s important to know all aspects before purchasing.

It’s heavy. There, I said it. It is! This is a bad thing for some people because if a hedge trimmer is too heavy, chances are you aren’t going to want to use it. It can be exhausting and leave you unable to complete your trimming in a timely manner. However, I will shine one light of positivity into this flaw. Being heavy makes it incredibly durable and hardcore. If you are burly and can handle some extra weight, this is the hedge trimmer for you. If not, I have more choices!

The other huge issue people are having with the Worx is the noise level. One buyer mentioned that his neighbor two blocks down could tell when he was using it. Yikes! While that certainly is unpleasant, I wouldn’t necessarily think it would be a deal breaker. My husband wears ear protection all the time and is around much louder machinery than this. However, really think about it first. The noise may get to you down the line.

The last complaint I have on the Worx is the maximum cut size. Here’s the deal. It’s not a chainsaw. We know that, but we still want something that is heavy duty and can get the job done. A ¾ inch branch isn’t that huge. It’s not tiny but it’s not large either. So, take a look at your shrubs or bushes before purchasing this and make sure that the Worx is up for the challenge.

The Verdict

The Worx 56V Cordless Lithium-Ion 24 in. Hedge Trimmer is a great choice for a hedge trimmer. It is number one on my list because of it’s power, battery capabilities, dual action cutting, and comfort. It’s a hedge trimmer that is going to last and it is going to be able to get the job done for you.

2. Black & Decker Cordless Lithium Hedge Trimmer, 36V, 24″

PROS

Dual Action Blades

Cordless

Lithium Battery

Full Wrap Front Handle

6,000 square feet trim per charge

Lightweight

CONS

One Hour Re-charge Time

¾” Cutting Max

Motor Noise

What you need to know

The Black and Decker Cordless Lithium Hedge Trimmer is another one for the books. It has some great features that will make yard work a breeze.

The Good Stuff

The dual action blades are just one of those things that you almost can’t live without in a hedge trimmer now. It really cuts down on jolting your body around. You don’t have to look like you’re having a seizure while you are just trying to trim your lilac bushes.

It’s cordless and boasts a lithium battery. We don’t have to go over the cordless again, but it really is that much better than plugging one in. You don’t want your hedge trimmer to be your ball and chain around the yard. Freeing yourself up to get to where you need to go is so liberating.

Another model with the full wrap front handle. Again, I’d just caution you on the safety end but it really is easier to maneuver. This is especially true if you are shorter or have not such great arm length.

The lithium battery allows you to do 6,000 square feet worth of trimming before it runs out. I don’t know about you, but I certainly don’t have that many bushes. If you do, then you will just simply need to recharge. You will probably want a break at that point anyways, won’t you?

Probably one of the best features of the Black and Decker is just how lightweight it is. It makes trimming a joy. You don’t get tired. No more muscle cramps in the 90 degree sun. Just smooth sailing until your job is done. You can’t put a price on that!

The Bad Stuff

Well, the lithium battery turns out to be a double-edged sword in this case. While it’s awesome that you can roam about your yard freely and get quite a bit of work done before the juice runs out, it does run out. When that happens, the re-charge time is not great. Some buyers have claimed it’s an hour while others have been outraged by it taking 4-5 hours. It’s hard to tell if there is buyer error on that end. Either way, an hour recharge time is really frustrating.

The Black and Decker has a ¾” cutting maximum as well. Like I mentioned before, some people seem to have confusion on what the capabilities of a hedge trimmer are. It is not meant to be sawing logs out in your yard. On the same hand, if you have a particularly large or overgrown shrub, you might have larger diameter branches. So, that ¾” max is going to inhibit you from doing what you need to do if that’s the case.

One final downside to the Black and Decker is the motor noise. While it doesn’t seem to be as loud as the Worx, it still makes some motor noise that can be hard to ignore. If you have an issue with noise, you may want to opt for a more quiet option.

The Verdict

The Black and Decker Cordless Lithium Hedge Trimmer is a great choice. It is really user friendly and lightweight making it an excellent pick for those who don’t have as much experience or upper body strength. Honestly, you can’t really go wrong with Black and Decker. The name speaks for itself.

3. Ego 56V Li-ion 24 Hedge Trimmer Bare Tool HT2400

PROS

Dual Action Trimmers

Hardened Steel Reciprocating Blades

Lithium Battery

Electronic Brake

Long Battery Charge

CONS

¾” Max Cut

Overheating Issue

Need to Keep Up With Maintenance

What you need to know

The Ego 56V Lithium Ion 24 Hedge Trimmer is a force to be reckoned with. It is a quality device that is going to be on your side from day one. It’s easy to use and made to last.

The Good Stuff

There’s those dual action trimmers again. I told you they hardly make any without them anymore! The Ego is no exception. A smoother cut is directly related to the dual action trimmers. If you find a hedge trimmer without it, you are going to regret it.

The hardened steel reciprocating blades make it an absolute beast when it comes to your shrubs. It’s going to be super durable and get you through some tough jobs. It’s a hearty machine that will stick with you for years to come.

Surprise! Another lithium battery hedge trimmer for the win. There is a cool bonus feature on this though. This hedge trimmers batteries are compatible with all Ego Power Arc Lithium Batteries. That means, if you like this hedge trimmer a whole lot, you might start buying some other Ego products. Then you can just reuse those batteries over and over.

The electronic brake is a safety feature that excels with the Ego. It allows you to feel more confident because you can stop that blade with precision at any moment. You don’t have to wait for it to die down. If it gets out of control, you can shut it down right away.

For the finale, the battery life is just incredible. It really lasts for a very long time and that means less time and effort on your part. You don’t have to wait to recharge. Just get the job done in one nice block of time and move on with your day.

The Bad Stuff

Ah, again with the ¾ inch maximum cut. Well, there’s a silver lining in the Ego. A lot of buyers have mentioned that it actually cuts bigger branches than that. I’m not condoning you trying that, but it’s nice to know that there might be a machine out there to take on some bigger branches!

Several buyers have hinted at an overheating issue. It’s hard to get perspective on this one because not many people want to admit to using a machine wrong. It quite possibly does have an overheating issue and in that case I would recommend sending it back to the manufacturer. On the other hand, keep in mind that not everyone reads the instruction manual when they get a new toy.

Keeping your machinery well maintained is the key to keeping them for a long period of time. However, the Ego seems to need more love and attention that other devices. If you don’t keep it oiled, the blades like to get rusty. So, if you aren’t wanting to stay on top of the maintenance, I would suggest a different model.

The Verdict

The Ego 56V Li-ion 24 Hedge Trimmer is a great purchase option. It is lightweight yet hearty with it’s steel blades. It has an excellent battery life to save you time and frustration. As long as you can get over keeping that baby well oiled, you may just have to buy it.

What to look for in a hedge trimmer

Size and Weight

Size and weight are extremely important in a hedge trimmer. If it is too large, it is going to be difficult to handle, unless you are Hulk. The weight of the trimmer is important for the same reason. You want something that is lightweight enough to manage for a good half hour to hour. However, you also want something heavy enough to do the job well and not get thrown by a small twig.

Cost

Cost isn’t always an indicator of product quality but in this case it is. If you get too cheap of a hedge trimmer, it’s not going to last very long. If you are going to make the investment of a yard tool, it’s best to pay a little more to get more time and durability out of it.

Cordless

If you have ever used a hedge trimmer that isn’t cordless, you are probably nodding your head in agreement right now. The cord is just plain annoying. It gets in your way, limits your distance, and ends up costing you more time. Having to go back and forth and plug in to the next outlet is a time drain.

Beyond the time and annoyance issues, a cord poses a safety hazard. You can get wrapped up in it or trip on it and cause a serious accident. Believe me, I’ve actually known people to get injured by them because of the cord. Don’t go with the cord if you can help it!

Power

This is a similar feature as the cord or cordless options. When you have a cordless hedge trimmer, you are most likely running on battery power or fuel. Either of these allows you to run at max power until you run out of battery power or fuel. This is great because if you run at anything less than the maximum power, you are going to get potentially poor results. Running at a lower power can leave a jagged cut and end up screwing up your project.

Safety

Safety is always an issue when you have a sharp tooth blade running by a motor in your hands. It is best to look for hedge trimmers with high safety ratings. Accidents happen all too often. They especially happen when you get used to the hedge trimmer and get a little cocky with it. Trust me, you will!

Despite what your ego may think, you are not a samurai with a hedge trimmer. Most hedge trimmers have a safety guard. That is your friend whether you think it gets in the way or not. It’s also good to look for a trimmer that does not run the blade unless both hands are engaged. This prevents you from getting your other hand in the way while it’s running. Your fingers will thank you!

What is the best hedge trimmer for me?

This is a tough question to answer. What it boils down to is you making a decision based on the best knowledge possible. We have outlined what to look for and the best models of the year. Now it comes down to a few other particulars before you make your choice.

Use

What are you going to use your hedge trimmers for? It seems like a silly question but it really is going to help you choose the best hedge trimmer for you. Do you have one hedge or bush that needs to be trimmed? Maybe you can go with a less powerful, less expensive model.

On the other hand, maybe you have a gigantic yard filled with hedges and bushes that need to be trimmed every few weeks or so. If that’s the case, then I would suggest going for a more powerful model. That also means you probably want the more expensive model. Investing in a tool like this if you have a big yard is the way to go. You are just going to end up frustrated and disappointed otherwise.

Budget

This is another obvious category but one that is a top priority for most people. How much do you have or are you willing to spend on a hedge trimmer? Are you behind on your bills or running a tight ship right now? Maybe opt for the less expensive model until you can afford more. There’s nothing wrong with that!

In the same sense, looking at it as not having to buy another hedge trimmer for a few years is a savings in yourself. Regardless, whatever your budget (or your wife) is telling you, you can spend is what you need to follow. There are some incredible purchase options that don’t sacrifice quality because of the lower price.

Stature

Time to get personal. Are you a little on the short side? Maybe you are a string bean. Whichever body type you have, you are going to want to purchase a hedge trimmer that is appropriate for you. This may seem silly or even unnecessary but believe me, about an hour into using your hedge trimmer, you will thank me.

If you are shorter in stature, you may want to really think about how high you can reach with the hedge trimmer. That’s going to impact your ability to use the hedge trimmer and how long you can use it. Getting a hedge trimmer with a longer arm is going to be really helpful for you.

If you are taller, you can get away with a shorter arm on the hedge trimmer. Your long arms and height are going to play to your advantage here. You can just hold the hedge trimmer at waist or mid chest level and away you go.

Finally, your ability to lift heavy objects is a factor. This one probably will make more sense to you than the others. If you have an incredibly heavy hedge trimmer, it’s going to be really hard to do much work for very long. Your arms will get tired and you will have to take a break. This extends the length of your work time which is the opposite of what we want to do.

Instead, look for a hedge trimmer that is lightweight. You want this tool to be lightweight enough for you to get your project done in the most minimal amount of time. However, you don’t want it too light. If it’s too light it might not be that durable and durability is something you need in a hedge trimmer!

Expertise Level

Last but not least, the expertise level is also important. If you have used a hedge trimmer before then you know that this is a factor. It helps to know how exactly to cut the hedge and how to operate your device. It cuts down on your time and you end up with a more beautiful outcome.

That’s not to say you can’t have some superb looking shrubs if you haven’t used a hedge trimmer before. Lucky for you, they are making some pretty stellar hedge trimmers that are super user friendly. If you have experience, you can get away with something a little more fancy and a little more power. If not, go with something that is going to be easy for you to operate.

The Verdict

We all want our yards to look magical. Having a prestigious lawn is just part of being a homeowner! There are many different aspects to making it look just right, but well trimmed and shaped bushes or hedges go a long way. They look crisp and neat which allows you to keep your whole lawn looking that way.

After walking through the different options of hedge trimmers, you will notice there is not really a bad choice. Hopefully after reading my advice on what to look for and what is going to suit your needs best, you have found a winner. It really helps to have a hedge trimmer that fits you and your lifestyle better than having the best one out on the market.

Choose wisely and remember it’s not a machine you want to buy every year. Get something that is going to last and that you can enjoy. I would highly recommend the Worx 56V Cordless Lithium-Ion 24 in. Hedge Trimmer. You may find yourself enjoying lawn work so much that you start to get creative in your trimming work. Maybe that swan shaped hedge isn’t so far fetched after all.

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